Contents

Understand

Montrose is the second-largest town in western Colorado. Located on the valley floor, Montrose is surrounded by the photogenic mountain ranges of the Uncompahgre Plateau to the west and snow-capped San Juan mountains to the south.

The Uncompahgre Valley was the ancestral home of the Ute nation. But in the late 1870s, the lure of the gold and silver deposits in the area proved too great for the white settler population to resist. Tensions boiled over with the Meeker Massacre in 1879. Pushed to the breaking point by the Federal government's attempts to disband their nomadic way of life, the Utes killed several whites and launched the so-called Ute War. Initially successful, the Utes were forcibly relocated to Utah, and the southwest corner of Colorado, near Cortez.

Two months after the Utes were evicted, in December 1881, the town was founded. In the early days, Montrose was known variously as Pomona, Dad’s Town, and Uncompahgre Town.

Eventually, the town was named after Sir Walter Scott's historic novel, "A Legend of Montrose" because the area reminded Joseph Selig, the town founder, of Scotland's lake country.

Montrose served as a supply depot to service mining towns like Ouray, Silverton, Telluride and Durango in the San Juans, raising cattle and sheep to feed the miners. By 1882, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Co built a narrow gauge railroad from Montrose to Silverton.

Besides mining and ranching, orchards were a part of the area's agricultural history. The mines went into decline, and agriculture became the center of Montrose's economy. Settlers worked the fertile valley soil producing fruits, grains and vegetables. By the late 20th century, grape growers had discovered the area's potential for raising white wine varietals, and Colorado's wine industry migrated south from Grand Junction and Palisade. The West Elks American Viticultural Area was formed in 2001. Ranging from 5,400 feet (1646 m) to 6,400 feet (1951 m) above sea level, West Elks comprises the highest vineyards in North America.

Montrose now serves as a recreational hub for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Leisure travelers can hike, camp or enjoy boating and fishing in the surrounding national parks, forests and recreation areas. The town is a laid back mix of ranchers, farmers, ski bums, aging hippies and jocks.

The busy tourist months are in the summer, with most travelers just passing through in the winter on their way to Crested Butte and Telluride.

Denver International Airport[27], (IATA: DEN, ICAO: KDEN). Commonly referred to as DIA. It is located about 20 miles to the east of downtown. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all maintain hubs at the airport in Concourses A, B, and C respectively. Most other major domestic carriers also have service here.

Grand Junction Regional Airport[28], (IATA: GJT, ICAO: KGJT), otherwise known as Walker Field, is served by six airlines with nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Some service is seasonal.

Montrose Botanic Gardens, 1800 Pavilion Drive Montrose (Located just south of the Montrose Pavilion), ☎+1-970-249-0742 ([email protected]), [8]. Flowers, rock gardens and ornamental fruit trees, with the West Elks Mountains as a backdrop.

Montrose County Historical Museum, (In the former Denver & Rio Grande Train Depot at the corner of Main and Rio Grande), ☎+1-970-249-2085. Focuses on early day pioneer life: buggies, wagons, farm implements and a completely furnished homesteader's cabin. The inside houses a country store, railroad memorabilia, a children's corner, Indian artifacts, and musical instruments,

Museum of the Mountain West, 68169 E. Miami Rd Montrose (Located at the corner of E. Miami Rd and US 50, 2.5 miles east from the last light in Montrose heading towards Gunnison), ☎+1-970-249-4162 ([email protected]), [9]. History of the region from 1840 to 1940. Open air museum with a series of Wild West buildings arranged like a town.

Ute Indian Museum & Ouray Memorial Park, (Two miles south of Montrose on Hwy. 550 and Chipeta Drive - now also home to the Visitor's Welcome Center.), ☎+1-970-249-3098. Commemorates the life and culture of the Ute nation. Located on the farm once belonging to the famous Ute leader, Ouray, and his wife, Chipeta. The grounds include the Ouray Memorial and the grave of Chipeta.

Wine Tasting

Visit Colorado's Wine Country. Colorado is home to over 70 wineries and its own indigenous vineyards, the highest in North America. Wine lovers can enjoy many vineyards around Montrose, as well as several scenic day trips to many of the small towns that grow their own grapes. These lovely little communities include Palisade, Paonia, Grand Junction and Hotchkiss.

Sleep

Canyon Creek Bed & Breakfast, 820 Main St, Montrose, ☎+1-970-249-2886, [19]. Convenient Main Street location in an old farmhouse. Social setting since this bed and breakfast also has a cocktail lounge. Massages available with reservations. Sunny, coffee-colored rooms with ensuite bathrooms and flat panel TVs.

Country Lodge, 1624 E. Main St. Montrose, Colorado 81401-3809, ☎970-249-4567, [20]. The Country Lodge has a rustic charm unlike any other motel in Montrose. There are 22 rooms, some have kitchens, some have themes, and most have patio access to the beautiful garden and pool courtyard. The heated pool is seasonal, but the hot tub is open year round. All rooms are ground level and have parking in front of them. There is also parking for large vehicles on the property. Also features a 1200 sq ft cabin that is ideal for families or extended stays.

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